October 12, 2016

12:40 am

Los Angeles residents will be able to vote in November on a measure that would build 10,000 housing units over 10 years for homeless individuals.

Proposition HHH would lend $1.2 billion to developers from general obligation bonds paid by property taxes. One third of the developers’ housing projects’ costs would be covered by the loan and they would raise the other two-thirds of their planned costs through state, federal and private sources.

The measure would also subsidize housing for low-income tenants and create facilities for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and housing assistance.

Los Angeles County spent almost $1 billion last year trying to combat homelessness, according to a report released by the Research and Evaluation Services Unit in the Chief Executive Office.

Homelessness in Los Angeles has also increased by 15 percent in the last three years, said Michael Lens, assistant professor in urban planning.

Lois Takahashi, professor of urban planning and Asian American studies, said Proposition HHH would save taxpayers money in Westwood and across Los Angeles because sheltering homeless populations in jails, emergency rooms or other places costs more than building or leasing permanent housing.

The measure would also help house homeless people in Westwood living on the streets and in cars, Lens said.

Lens said he thinks theonly downside of the proposition would be the increase in property taxes. However, he said he thinksmany homeowners can avoid higher taxes because of California Proposition 13, whichcaps the annual increase in the assessed values of properties at 2 percent and caps the property tax rates at 1 percent of full cash values.

If the proposition passes, LA officials would need to overcome obstacles before developers can build housing. For example, some residents may oppose new construction in certain areas, Takahashi said.

Lisa Chapman, president of the Westwood Neighborhood Council, said the homeless population in Westwood has doubled most years. In February, Westwood community members counted about 115 homeless individuals and homeless shelters in the area.

Takahashi said she believes homelessness arises from a storm of crises and complications.

“I would describe the homelessness issue in Westwood as stemming from a combination of factors: high housing costs, labor market pressures on wages and need for varying types of resources,” Takahashi said.

Chapman said she thinks some homeowners and business owners may vote against the proposition because of the possibility of increased property taxes. However, she said she thinks residents should consider that not dealing with homelessness is affecting homeowners’ property values and businesses even more than an added fee would.

Lens said he thinks people should consider donating to organizations that help homeless individuals because Proposition HHH would only fund a limited amount of housing, and the city cannot guarantee that homelessness will decrease.He added he thinks residents should allow supportive housing to be built in the area and work with local police to treat people on the street more humanely.

Mr. Lens does not understand how property taxes work. Prop 13 does not prevent add ons to the property tax bill. Mr. Lens should take a look at an actual property tax bill. Close to 30% of my property tax bill is not “technically” property tax. It’s school tax, city tax, etc. So Prop 13 does nothing to help home owners with regards to this proposition.

As to Proposition HHH:

VOTE NO on HHH
PERMANENT TAX with No Results!
FACTS: Permanent TAX increase on Property Taxes. What about all those who don’t pay property taxes? They don’t pay anything!
Many of the homeless are not from Los Angeles – they are from other cities and states. Why are LA City home owners being sent the bill for a national problem?
No Enforcement of laws! After the city takes your money, none of it will be used to enforce laws to protect LA City residents – homeless will still set up camp wherever they want.
Permanent homeless depots will be built in your neighborhood!

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The Associated Students UCLA announced in October that the price of dorm coupons, which allow students living on the Hill to trade meal swipes for coupons that can be used with on-campus food vendors, have increased by $1. Now, a meal swipe can be swapped for a coupon worth $3.45. What do you think about this?
The moderate increase is a welcome step toward ensuring students living on the Hill can also eat on campus at lower costs.
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